The 20-year-old suffered a double leg fracture in United's 2-1 Champions League defeat to PSV on Tuesday night, and has remained in Eindhoven to continue the early stages of his recovery following surgery.

After an injury-hit debut season, Shaw seemed to be getting into his stride for United as he started all five of their Premier League matches.

"It's very sad for him and for Manchester United," said Carragher, who suffered a broken leg himself in 2003.

"You think of how well he has performed this season, he has possibly been United's best player alongside Chris Smalling in the early weeks.

"He was probably about to really cement that left-back position as his own and also with England ahead of the Euros, just as Ashley Cole did for a decade.

GETTY

RECOVERY TIME: Jamie Carragher believes Luke Shaw will return in top form

“I think when he returns we will see the Luke Shaw we have seen over the last 3-4 months”

Jamie Carragher

"Hopefully for him he could come back for United before the end of the season and then make the Euros, but it could be a long road to recovery."

United manager Louis van Gaal said after the game he is 'hopeful' that Shaw will play again this season.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher was out of action for four months after breaking his leg in a tackle by Blackburn's Lucas Neill.

"The way I found myself getting through it was not thinking about coming back in four or five months, but having little targets," he said.

"You have your cast coming off after so many weeks, then you can start doing a bit of jogging, it's thinking about those sort of things rather than looking at the whole picture. That's the way I got through it.

"He will get there, he is a young, powerful lad and I am sure he won't cut any corners - Manchester United won't allow that."

"The situation now with the medical science involved and the recovery rates are a lot better and quicker than they were 10-15 years.

"Over the next few weeks he has to get over the disappointment and then work to try and get back because he has shown what a good player he is. I think when he returns we will see the Luke Shaw we have seen over the last 3-4 months."